Ditch the Degree: How a Trade Could Build Your Dream Life

Imagine you’re 17, drowning in trig homework, while your guidance counselor drones on about college like it’s the golden ticket. But what if it’s not? One Redditor’s dropping a truth bomb: trades like electrician, plumber, or welder can pave a path to a solid paycheck—no degree required. Picture swapping lecture halls for tool belts, earning while you learn. It’s a gritty, hands-on rebellion against the “you must go to college” mantra.

For the OP, this wasn’t just theory—they flunked college twice before striking gold with an electrical apprenticeship. Now? They’re raking it in at a military contractor gig, wishing someone had clued them in sooner. It’s a wake-up call for high schoolers feeling lost in the GPA grind. Could ditching the dorms for a trade be the ultimate life hack? Let’s unpack their story.

‘LPT: High schoolers, dont think you have to go to college to be successful. Not great at school?, look at learning a trade. You can make a good, sustainable income as an electrician, plumber, welder, etc. You can enroll in a technical college, or better yet find a apprenticeship at a larger company’

High school’s a pressure cooker, and college often feels like the only exit. The OP’s tip flips that script—trades can be a lifeline for those who’d rather wield a wrench than a textbook. Career expert Alison Doyle notes in a 2023 The Balance Careers piece, “Skilled trades offer sustainable careers—electricians, for instance, earn a median of $60,000 annually, with no student debt dragging them down.” For OP, that shipyard apprenticeship was a game-changer, blending on-the-job training with a free degree.

The tension? OP wanted options, but schools pushed one-size-fits-all degrees. Trades demand grit—years of low pay or brutal conditions can test you. Yet, the payoff’s real: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 9% growth in electrician jobs by 2032. Doyle’s take? “Start early—apprenticeships beat racking up debt.” OP’s thriving now, but comments hint at trade-offs: aching joints and relentless bids. Advice? Research unions, weigh the physical toll, and ask yourself—stability or sky’s-the-limit?

Take a look at the comments from fellow users:

Reddit’s crew chimed in with gusto—here’s the scoop, served with a smirk: “The Reddit hive mind weighed in, and it’s a wild mix of cheers and jeers.”

These takes are hot off the thread, but do they nail reality or just vent steam? You decide.

So, is trading college for a trade the ultimate flex? OP’s living proof it can work—steady cash, no loan sharks—but it’s no fairy tale. Knees creak, conditions bite, and it’s not for dreamers chasing millions. Still, for the hands-on crowd, it’s a legit detour from the degree-or-bust trap. What’s your take—would you ditch the campus grind for a hard hat? Share your stories below!